Acetylene-generator



N. GOODYEAR, DECD.

K. F. GOODYEAR, ADMINISTRATRIX.

ACETYLENEGENERATOR.

l APPLICATION FILED APR.21. 1917. 1,373,419.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

N. GOODYEAR, OECO.y

K. F. GOODYEAR, AOMINISTRATRIX.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

K/Tgoodeyear fldm'x af the-Exzate of /Velson Qoadj/ari By* I Dec cf N. GOODYEAR, DECD.

K. I. GOODYEAR, IIDMINISIIIAIIIIX.

ACETYLENE GENERATOR.

`APPLICATION FILED APR.21,I9I7.

' Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

unirse Plitt? NELSONl GOODYEAR, DEOEASED, LATE OF NEW "YORK, N. Y., BY KATHARENE F. GOODYEAR, ADMINSTRATRX., OIF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE PNEUMATO ACETYLENE GENERATOR CORPORATION, A

CORORATION OF NEW YORK.

ACETYLENE-GENERATOR.

Application filed April 21, 1917.

To all whom t may concern five., New York city, has invented certain new and useful improvements in Acetylene- Generators, of which the following is a clear, full, and eXact description.

The invention relates to valve controlling means and more particularly to arrangements for controlling the feeding of carbid and the consequent generation of gas in acetylene generators. rlhe invention is, however, capable of application to other mechanism in which the parts are subjected to fluid pressure. rlhe purpose of the invention is to produce a reliable pneumatic controlling device for gas generators or other apparatus to which its principles may be applicable; to produce a complete, ellicient and safe means of feeding or controlling the feed of gas generating materials, and to improve upon and lessen the cost of gas generators.

Heretofore it has been the practice in the class of generators best typified by acetylene generators, to cause or govern the feeding of the generating material bv a movable controlling member, such for example a diaphragm or gasometer, acted upon by gravity or a spring in a direction tending to cause the generation of gas and acted upon by the pressure of the gas generated in a direction tending to arrest or stop the generation of gas. rl`his method permits .dangerous leakage, a great waste of gas or possible explosion or bursting of the generator in case of the rupture or leakage of the movable controlling member. Flexible diaphragms provide a much simpler and less costly controlling means than gasometer or displacement holders, but the fear of their leakage has prevented their use except in very small apparatus.

lith the object of overcoming these defects, in the invention herein disclosed and claimed the movable controlling member on one side is exposed to the pressure of a confined volume of gas or air from a pressure chamber to move it in a direction tending to cause the generation of gas and expose the controlling member on the other side Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 5, i921.

serial No. 163,654.

to the pressure of the gas generated tending to move said member in a direction to stop the generation; said controlling member being at all times subjected to a constant force (such as gravity or a spring) acting to move it in a direction to stop the generation of gas, so that when the pres- 'sures on opposite sides of the controlling member are balanced, as would occur Lthrough leakage or rupture of said controling member, the generation will be arrested.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple means for safeguarding the proper action of the generator, by utilizing the pressure of confined air or gas in a pressure chamber to act on the movable controlling member to cause the generation of gas and providing vents therefor coacting with other parts of the generator to insure the escape of gas or air from the pressure chamber' or to prevent the confinement of gas or air therein unless other conditions necessary to the safe and economical Operation of the apparatus obtain or are complied with.

Other specific objects of the invention are to provide a generator in which the gas feeding mechanism may be safely actuated by a diaphragm instead of by a gasoineter or displacement holder` in such a manner that the failure of the diaphragm through rupture or leakage will tend to prevent a further feeding of gas generating material, and with such a construction and disposition of the parts that no escape of gas' can occur outside of the apparatus in case of such failure of the diaphragm; to provide a gas generator adapted to work at any desired pressure without straining the actuating diaphragm; and to provide means for removing the force tending to cause the feeding of gas generating material in such a manner as to insure the safe operation of the generator.

Further Objects and advantages will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a cross-sectional view through the hopper and safety mechanism of a form of the invention adapted to general use;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the charging lid -for the hopper;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line A-A of Fig. 1, looking down;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the residuum discharge gate or flush-out mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of another embodiment of the invention more specifically adapted to relatively small or portable apparatus;

F ig. 6 is a detailed enlarged section of parts 16, 17, 18 and 2O of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top view of lever 31 shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of an air pump adapted for use with the generators as eX- plained in the following specification.

ln .F 17 1 is a hopper adapted to contain calcium carbid or other suitable generating material in granular form. 2 is a generator tank on which the hopper 1 is supported by the neck casting 26 and the hopper casting 23; provided with the gasket 24. The lower part of the hopper 1 has a downwardly converging conical bottom 5, which is fastened to the hopper casting 23. The hopper casting 23 supports on its underside a valve seat 41 both conforming to the lines of the conical bottom of the hopper. The valve seat 41 is provided with a feed orifice 6 adapted to be closed by the valve 7 guided at its upper end on the rod 8. The hopper casting 23 is provided with three arms 9 extending inwardly and upwardly and supporting the diaphragm seat v10. One of these arms 9 has a duct 11 running through it. r1`he arms 9 carry a housing or shield 12 adapted to keep the weight of the gas generating material from interfering with the movement of the valve 7 or its attached parts. An annular diaphragm 13 is clamped at its inner edge to the seat 10 by means of the flanged spider 14 and rod 8, which is threaded at its upper end for the purpose. At its outer edge the diaphragm 13 is clamped between the two lianges 15 and 16, which in turn carry a diaphragm casing or pressure cl amber 17 which is so fastened to the flange l5,

by soldering or other means; to make a gas-tight joint. The pressure chamber 17 may be provided at its upper end with a guide rod 13 adapted to slide in a guide 1 9 fastened to the housing 12. The flange 16 is provided vith three downwardly extending rods or bolts 29, fitted to slide freely through holes in the upper expanded poi'- tion 21 of the valve 7 and serve to lift the valve whenever the pressure chamber 1? is forced upward beyond a certain point. il certain amount of space for lost motion is allowech by a proper provision in the lengths of the rods 20, between the top of the valve casting 21 and the bottom of the flange 13, so that the pressure chamber 17 may have some play downwardly in case the valve 7 is seated on the valve seat 41. The valve l' with its expanded portion 21 is of considerable weight so that the tendency of the valve is to close securely by gravity against any passage of gas generating material; though it is not necessary that the valve 7 seat in a gas-tight manner against the extension 41.

Means are provided for lifting the valve manually by means of the lever 22, dog 24 and rock shaft 25, which entends through a stuffing box 26, as shown in Fig. 3. The outer end of the rock shaft 25 may be provided with a handle or lever 2'?, having a weighted end 23 for the purpose of rotating the rock shaft 25 in a direction tending to permit the valve to close. l

A charging lid 29 provided for the hopper' has a gasket 30 adapted to make a pneumatic seal when pressed against the rim 31 of the cover plate 32, which latter is secured to the top of the hopper 1 by the bolts 33 and flange 34. The cover plate 32 is provided to give ready access to the mechanism within the hopper. excepting the valve 7, lever 22 and dog 24 which may be removed or `inserted by taking off the valve seat 41. The charging lid 29 is held to its seat by a strong spring 35; which is compressed by the clamping lever 3G which is pivoted at 70. rlhe chargii'ig lid 29 is connected to the clamping lever 36 by the bolt 37, which is slidable at its upper end through said lever. A swinging yoke 33 loosely pivoted to the cover plate 32 and provided with a clamping screw 39 is adapted to hold the clamping lever down. @n the lid 32 is mounted a valve casing 4() carrying a valve 43 having an upwardly ez;- tending valve stem 7 2 which causes the valve 43 to close tightly against the seat 1 when the lever 36 is forced down. rl`he seat 7l surrounds the end of the tube 44, which extends downwardly and communicates with the pressure chamber 1? by way of the duct 11. The clamping screw 39 is not long enough to reach the valve stem 7 2 when the clamping lever is swung to open the charging lid. A spring 45 is provided to open the valve 43 whenever the pressure on it is removed by turning` the clamping screw 39 upward. The spring keeps the charging lid 29 tightly against its seat unless the clamping screw 39 is screwed up so far that the clamping lever 36 engages with the head of the bolt 3'?. which prevents any further distension of the spring rlhe length of the bolt 37 .is such that a certain amount of play is provided between the clamping lever 3&3 and the head of the bolt in order to permit the clamping lever 36 to be raised sufficientlyI to permit the valve 43 to open; without taking the pressure olf the charging lid 29. Any escape of from the valve casing 49 is prevented by the small flexible diaphragm 42. A suitable check valve 47, shown in detail in 65 is provided in communication with the duct 11. rlhis check valve has seat 21 adapted to engage the nozzle 22 Cil of an air pump of the type shown in Fig. 8. Mounted on the top of the generator tank 2 is a safety valve housing 48,n which is in communication with the inside with the generator tank. r)lie housing 48 has anV inward extension 49 adapted to carry a valve seat 50. Coacting with the valve seat 50 is a valve 53 having a disk of rubber 51 or other suitable material which may be made integral with the flexible portion of the diaphragm 52. The flexible diaphragm 52 is attached to the outer rim of the valve 53 by the collar 111 and both permits kof and causes the movement of valve 53 when acted upon by gas pressure. Above the diaphragm 52 is a smaller flexible diaphragm 54 connected to the upper part of the valve 53 and with the cover plate 55 of the safety valve housing 48. T he space 73 between the diaphragms 52 and 54 is connected by the duct 56, tube 57 and duct 11 with the interior of the pressure chamber 17. The lower part of the duct 56 has an extension 58 provided with a valve seat 59 and valve 69, which is connected by the divided link 61 with the weighted vlever 74 which nor mally keeps said valve closed. The valve is provided with a slotted stem 62 slidably supported in the guide 63 carried on the cover plate 55. rlhrough the slot 69 in the stem 62 passes a locking bar 64, which is provided with a sloping or wedge-shaped surface 65 which serves to force the valve extension 62 upwardly when the locking bar is slid farther into the slot. The locking bar is cut away at 66 to permit the firm seating of the valve 53 and to form a shoulder 67 Se as to prevent the locking bar from being` slid farther into the slot when the valve 53 is on its seat.

lrovision is made for lling the generator tank 2 with water by means of the funnel 89, pipes 77 and 79. The pipe 77 is provided with a flat head cock 78, having a handle 119. The locking bar 64 is provided with a keyhole shaped opening 83, the slotted portion of which 81 is adapted to slide over the flat head 82 of the cock 78 in such a manner that the cock is locked in closed position when the locking bar 64 is slid to the left or in a direction to permit the stem 62 to descend and the valve 53 to close, but when the locking bar is slid to the right in a position to force the stem 62 upward, raising the valve 53 from its seat 50, the circular portion 83 of the keyhole shaped opening is slid over the head 82 of the cock 78 so as to permit the cock to be opened or closed at will, but when the cock 78 is in the open position, the locking bar 64 is held by the head 82 in a position.to lock the valve 53 open.

The generator tank is provided with a residuuin discharge gate92, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, provided with the yoke 93 which.

carries a spring 120 adaptad to press` on a closure or valve 121 which rotates on the cylindrical surface 122. To open the residuum gate 92 the yoke must be moved upward by the handle 94. Pivotally mounted over the center of the residuum gate 92 is a hollow shaft 86 which extends upwardly through a bracket 89 shown in F ig. 1, and terminates in a head casting 85, which is provided with a iiattened portion 84, which passes through another keyhole shaped opening in the other end 87 .of the locking bar 64, exactly similar to that described for cock 78. The lower end of the shaft 86 is provided with an arm 91, having an extension 90 adapted to prevent the opening of the residuum gate 92 when in the position shown in the drawings. ln order to open the residuum gate 92 or the cock 78, it is necessary to first raise the extension 62 of the valve 53 slightly and then push the locking bar to the right as far as possible into the slot 69, which brings the circular portions of the keyhole shaped openings in the locking bar 64 into a position to permit the turning of the handle 119 to open the cock 78 or the turning of the handle 88, head piece 85, shaft 86, arm 91 and extension 96 into a position to permit the opening of the residuum gate 92. Handle 88 is provided to facilitate the rotation of the shaft 86 and attached parts, and coacts with the side of the generator tank 2 to prevent said shaft and parts from being turned in the wrong direction. It will be seen that when the extension 90 of the arm 91 is swung around to permit the opening of the residuum gate 92 and the gate is opened, the arms of the yoke 93 will prevent the rotation of the shaft 86 and its attached parts into the position shown in the drawings, and when the shaft 86 is turned into the position permitting the open* ing of the residuum gate 92, the flat portion 84 of the head 85 holds the locking bar in a position to maintain the valve 53 in an open position. Similarly, when the cock 78 is in the open position, the fiat portion of its head 82 prevents the locking bar from being slid into a position to permit the closing of valve 53. Attached to the collar 111 of the valve 53 is a divided link 99 fastened to a lever 100, which is pivoted on the lugs s unless the water charging cock 78 and discharge gate 92 are locked shut.

To prevent overlilling of the generator tank 2 with watera float107 is provided which telescopes over the lower end of the pipe 79, on which are formed guiding and spacing lugs 109. The float 107 is annular in form havino` a tubular center 108, which with the pipe 7 9 is adapted to form a gas seal when the tubular center 108 is filled with water. r1`he lower end ci the tubular center 108 is provided with a pad of rubber or other suitable material 124, which is adapted to form a practically tight closure for the pipe 79 when the float 107 is in its upward position as shown in the drawings. When there is no water in the generator tank 2, the iioat will descend so as to give a full opening at the bottom of the pipe 97 into the tubular center 108 of the float 107, and when water enters through these parts from the funnel 80 it overflows at the top of the tubular center 108 and tends to keep the top of the float clean.

The float 107 is connected by links 105 with the split end of lever 103, which is pivoted at 104 on the brackets 112, which are attached to or are integral with the housing 48. The lever 103 is provided with an arm carrying a lug 106 adapted to engage the underside of the lever 74 so as to raise it,

' the divided link 61, and the valve G0, whenever the float 107 falls. The weight orn the float 107 is suiliciently in excess of the weight 125 on the lever 74 to insure the opening of the valve 60, but the buoyancy oit the float is suiiicient to raise it so that the pad 124 exerts considerable pressure on the bottom of the pipe 79 when the generator tank 2 is filled to the intended working level of the water in said tank, which is about as shown in the drawing of Fig. 1.

On iilling the generator tank 2, the float will rise and prevent any further introduction of water as soon as the proper level is reached, which will be indicated by the lilling up of the pipes 79 and 77, until it can be seen to stand in the bottom of the funnel 80, which is an indication that the generator has been filled to the proper level.

The valve 53 serves to vent the generator to the outer air through the extension 49 whenever the generator is being filled with water or whenever water or residuum is withdrawn from the generator through the residuum gate 92, and this venting is positively insured through the interlocking mechanism previously described. The hy-` draulic seal formed by the water in the tubular center 108 prevents any gaseous mixtures escaping through the Junnel 80 and connecting pipes.

The operation of the generator is as follows. After the generator tank 2 and the hopper 1 have been filled respectively with water and calcium carbid in granular form, the cock 78 and the charging lid 29 are closed and the locking bar 64 is slid so as to lock the resduum gate and cock 7 8 shut.

rIhen the clamping screw 39 is screwed down,'tightly closing the valve 43. In order to start the generator, the nozzle 22 of an air pump similar to that shown in Fig. 8, is inserted in the seat 21 of the check valve 47, and air is pumped through the duct 11 into the pressure chamber 17 which is eX- pansible by reason of its lower portion being formed by the flexible diaphragm 13. As the pressure chamber expands, the upper portion rises and carries the lange 16 and bolts 20 upwardly until the heads of the bolts 20 engage the expanded portion 21 of the valve 7, which raises said valve permitting the carbid to ow through the oriiice G intothe water in the generator tank. When suiiicientcarbid has been ted into the water, enough gas willy be formed to raise the pressure in the generator' and hopper so as together with the weight of the chamber 17 and attached parts, to overbalance the pressure within the pressure chamber 17 which will then move downwardly, permitting the valve7 to return to its seat and prevent any urther iiow of carbid to the water. The pressure at which the generator producesgas is therefore governed by the pressure in the pressure chamber 17, which latter may be controlled at will by means of the pump. The pressure chamber 17 is made oi considerable weight of wall so as to guard against its being crushed in or distorted by gas pressure in the hopper external to it, and also for the purpose of cause ing it to descend by gravity, which latter action is also aided by making the flange 16 as heavy as possible compatible with the y space available. On account of the weight of the chamber 17 and iiange 16, the air within the chamber 17 is subjected to a con siderably greater pressure than the gas outside oi the chamber 17 withinthe hopper 1. It is this excess of air pressure within the pressure chamber which causes it to rise carrying the heavy valve 7 upward when the pressure in the generator and hopper are reduced by gas being drawn off.

lr at any time the diaphragm 13 should become ruptured or leak, the pressure within the chamber 17 will diminish to that within the hopper outside oithe chamber 17, and the chamber and attached parts will fall closing the valve 7. In this manner the danger caused by the posssibility of rupture of the diaphragm is avoided. In all the older types of acetylene generators actuated by diaphragms, a leakage of the diaphragm would cause a continual feeding of carbid with one of two results; either the gas generated would escape into the building in which the generatoris housed, which would cause danger of explosion from the possibility of ignition of the escaping gas, or, in generators having the diaphragm entirely incased, the pressure within the generator would rise to the bursting point of the apparatus.

When pressure is applied to the inside of the pressure chamber 17, the same pressure is communicated to the space 73 between the diaphragms 52 and 54, through the tube 57 aud the duct 56. lin the construction or this type ol? apparatus the diaphragm. 54 should be larger than the area of the valve seat 50, and the diaphragm 52 should be considerably greater in area than the diaphragm 54:. The reason for this will be apparent from the following. Besides acting as a vent, the valve forms a relief valve or safety valve, and so long as the pressure within the pressure chamber 17 and the space 73 above the diaphragm- 52 is greater than that within the generator tank 2, the valve 53 is held tightly against its seat 50 by the pressure oi the gas or air upon the top of the diaphragm 52. llllhen, however, the generator is in operation so that the pressure within it becomes substantially greater than that of the outside atmosphere, the valve 53 will open by reason of the pressure against the diaphragm 5l whenever the gas pressures in the generator tank 2 and space 73 are balanced. A balancing of this pressure will occur il either valve 13 or valve 60 is opened, or if either diaphragm 52 or diaphragm 13 is ruptured or became leaky. T diaphragm 54; should leak, the pressure in the pressure chamber 17 could not be maintained and the generator could not be started. ll", for any reason, the valve 7 is prevented from entirely stopping the low of carbid through the opening G, as might occur it it were held up by some 'foreign body being stuck between the valve and its seat, the pressure will rise within the generator, forcing down or collapsing the pressure chamber 17 until the latter has reached the lower limit or its travel, during which time the gas or air within the pressure chamber 17 will continually rise also, still being greater in amount than the pressure outside of the chamber 17 in the hopper 1 by reason oi the weight of the chamber and flange 16 as previously explained But when the pressure chamber 17 has reached the lower limit of its travel and the diaphragm 13 is pressed upward by external pressure against the flange 15, no further compression of the air within the chamber 17 can occur, and as soon as the eX- tcrnal pressure within the hopper and generator tank 'equals that within the pressure chaml er 17 and space 73, the diaphragm 52 will be balanced as regards pressure and diaphragm 5d .would open 'the relief valve The valve 53 will remain open until the pressure within the generator has fallen to a point below that in the pressure chamber 17 lf ever the generator tank 2 or residuum gate 92 becomes leaky, or it tl e generator tank is not filled to the proper level, or if the float 107 should leak, the float will fall, the lever 103 acting to open the valve 60 as previously described. This insures the restoration of equal pressures both inside and out ofthe pressure chamber 17 and the space 73, the closure of thel valve 7 and the opening of the vent valve 53. As will be seen, this construction also prevents the starting of the generator it any of the lastA mentioned abnormal conditions occur.

To guard against the charging lid 29 being opened when the generator is in opern ation, suflicient play is provided between the lever 36 and the, yoke 38 to permit the valve Z13 to be opened before the tension is taken olf of the spring 35 by the screw 37. This insures the venting of the pressule chamber' 17 which allows the valve 7 to fall preventing any further flow of carbid through the orifice 6. This mechanism also provides` for the venting of the pressure chamber 17 at all times when the lever 36 and charging lid 29 are thrown back to permit a lilling of the hopper, so that it is impossible by means of the pump (Fig. 3) or otherwise, to create a pressure in sadchamber to cause the automatic operation of the generator.

The handle 27, rock shaft 25, dog 24C and the lever 22 are provided to manually raise the valve 7 as an alternate method of charging the pressure chamber 17, in which case the pump may be dispensed with. ln using this method the generator is charged with carbid and water as previously described, all openings are closed, but the clamping screw 39 is not screwed down tight so as to close valve 13. Then the valve 7 is raised manually by means of the lever 27 and connecting parts and pressure is allowed to accumulate to any desired amount in the generator, and pressure chamber 17, gas having access to `the latter by wayof valve 13, pipe all and duct 11. When the pressure gage 118 indi` cates that the desired pressure is reached, the clamping screw 39 is screwed dow-n closing the valve 43 which connes the pressure within chamber 17. The apparatus is now ready for automatic action when gas is withdrawn. Gas is withdrawn from the generator to the service pipes through the opening 115 which may be provided with a pressure reducing valve 116 to which the service pipes are connected at 117. l

A pressure gage may be dispensed with in generators of this type, provided they are adapted to be started by means olahand op,-y

erated pump -only. ln this case the piston of the pump is vmade suiiiciently large in area to prevent the possibility of attaining a dangerouspressure by manual operation. lt should, however, be understood that the limit of pressure in apparatus ofthis kind is governed solely by the strength of the walls of the apparatus as the method of coniso ' embodiment of the invention in Figs. 5, 6

and 7.

In the type of generator shown in Fig. 1, the carbid feeding valve opens upwardly and the pressure chamber 17 is also adapted to move, whereas in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the carbid feeding valve 7 opens downwardly and the pressure chamber 13 is stationary.

ln this alternate form 2 is the generator tank to which the carbid hopper 1 is hinged at 25 so that the hopper may be swung over in order to give access to the generator which is filled with waterthrough the opening in the neck casting 26. When the hopper is swung over to give access to the tank 2, the hopper charging lid l1 will be at the upper portion of the hopper. The valve 7 is actuated by the diaphragm 9 which is normally pulled upward by the spring 12 closing the valve 7. As in the previously described apparatus, the opening of the valve is accomplished by means of confined pneumatic pressure within the pressure chambery 13 and in this form the pressure is produced by means of an air pump of which the nozzle 22 engages the seat 21 of the check valve 20', passes through the cock 1S and enters the pressure chamber by way of the pipe 17 and 14:. At the bottom of the pipe 14 is a chamber 15 provided with a valve 16 adapted to be held tightly against the bottom of the chamber 15 by the lever 31 which is pivoted at 32 and provided with a ball float 35 attached to its outer end at 33 by the rod 34C. rlhe strength of the Spring 12 is far greater than that necessary to overcolne the weight of the diaphragm 9, rod 8, valve 7 so that it will be understood that the pressure within the chamber 13 must be considerably greater than that within the generator tank and hopper 1, in order to move thevalve 7 downwardly to cause the feeding of carbid. rlherefore, any reduction of pressure within the chamber 13 down to or below that within the hopper 1, will permit the spring 12 to hold the valve 7 tightly against the seat and the valve 16 coacting with the lioat 35 is provided to accomplish this venting of the pressure chamber 13 in case the generator tank 2 is not charged withwater to the proper level, or in case at any time the generator tank should become leaky.

`To guard against the generatory being opened when the feed valve is in operative position, the following means are provided:

The hopper is clamped to the generator tank by means of the hinge 25 and swing bolt 27 which is pivoted at 28 and engages lugs '30 on a hopper casting 23', by means of the nut 29. A cock 18 is mounted immediately over the lugs 30 and provided with a handle 19 adapted to interfere with the handles of the nut 29 unless the handle 19 of the cock is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow 42, Fig. 6. rl`he cock 18 is provided with side outlet 39 and when the handle 19 is swung out of the way of the handles of the nut 29', the port 38 opens into the pipe 17 connecting with the pressure chamber 13 by way of the pipe 14, and the port 37 of the cock 13 is brought opposite the side outlet which action relieves the pressure from the pressure chamber 13 causing the closing of the valve 7. lt will, therefore, be understood that the swing bolt 27 cannotbe loosened without putting the generator out of automatic action. 1t will also be understood that the pressure chamber 13 cannot be charged with air when the hopper is swung over to be charged with carbid or for the purpose of introducing water into the tank 2, because in such event the valve 16 which slides loosely in chamber 15 would be out of contact with the lever 31 so that no pressure could be created or maintained in the pressure chamber. The plug of the cock 13 is made blind opposite the port 33 sovthat when the cock is turned to permit the manipulation of the nut 29 of the swing bolt 27 entrance to the pressure chamber from the check valve 20 will be shut off. This necessitates the handle of the cock being turned into the position shown in the drawing before the generator can be started.

The type of generator shown in Fig. 5 is more specially adapted to portable or outdoor use and it is not, therefore, necessary to rovide it with ventino means for the generator tank 2, other than that provided in the opening in the neck casting 26. lnterlocking mechanism for the flush-out gate 1l is unnecessary because proper venting to permit the residuum to be iushed out as provided by the unjoining of the hopper and safety against the continuation of generation in case thegate l were left open is provided by the provision of the valve 16 coacting with thev float 35 as previously explained.

Since the valve 7 cannot be opened except by an excess of pressure in the pressure chamber 13 overthat in the hopper 1, it is obviousthat a rupture or leakage in the diaphragm 9 would cause the pressures on the two sides thereof to be equalized, which wouldpermit the spring 12 to act to close the valve 7 tightly. rllhe joint between the reveals hopper casting 23 and neck casting 26 is made tight by means of a gasket 24C of -rubber or other suitable material. Provision for carrying 0H the gas to the point of use A is made as shown at 3.

While l have shown and described certain specific forms and details of my invention, it is to be understood that the principle thereof is capable of embodiment in a Wide range or equivalents, and that though the invention has been explained in connection with its application to acetylene generators, it may be applied to a variety of devices in Which it is desirable to control fluid pressure in the manner herein indicated.

l/Vhat l claim as new is: c

l. ln combination, a receptacle having an opening for connectionto a source of gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, pneumatic means having no communication With said aforementioned opening at any time for opening said valve and nonpneumatic means for closing said valve` When said pneumatic means ceases to be eiiiective.

2. In combination, a receptacle having an opening for connection to a source of gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, automatic non-pneumatic means for holding said valve closed, and pneumatically operated means having no communication With said aforementioned opening at any time for opening said valve in opposition to said automatic non-pneumatic means.

3. ln combination, a container having an opening communicating with a source of gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, a movable member having one side ex- 'posed to the pressure of the gas in said container, said valve being connected to said member and movable therewith, means having no communication With said opening at any time for producing pneumatic pressure on the other sideof said movable member in excess of the pressure in said container to cause said member to move in a direction to open said valve, and means acting in opposition to such movement or' the member and operating to close the valve when the difference in pressure on opposite sides of the member is reduced.

t. In combination, a container having an opening communicating with a source of gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, means connected to said valve tending vto hold it closed, a pressure chamber associated With said container, a flexible diaahraom se aaratino' the interiors of said pressure chamber and said container and connected to said valve, means for maintaining diiierent relative pneumatic pressures in said receptacle and pressure chamber to cause said diaphragm to coperate with or oppose said first namedmeans thereby to close or open said valve.

5. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle having a feed orifice in its bottom, a iced lvalve for said orifice, a flexible diaphragm to Which said valve is connected, said diaphragm having one side exposed to the pressure of the gas in said carbid receptacle, and means for maintaining different pneumatic pressure on the other side of said diaphragm to regulate the position of said valve, and means for causing said valve to close in the event of rupture of said pneumatic means.

6. ln combination, a receptacle having an opening for connection to a source of a gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, and pneumatic means for opening said valve comprising means for maintaining the valve-opening pneumatic pressure in said means, said pneumatic means having no communication with said opening, and means for causino said valve to close in the event of rupture of said pneumatic means.

7. In combination, a receptacle having an opening for connection to a source of a gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, pneumatic means for opening said valve comprising means for maintaining the valveopening pneumatic .pressure in said means, and means comprising -a flexible diaphragm for separating the pneumatic `pressure oi said means from that of said gas supplyy and means for causing said valve to close in the event of rupture or said pneumatic means. n

8. ln combination, a receptacle having an opening for connection to a source of gas supply under pressure, a valve for lsaid opening, ypneumatic means having no communication with said source or gas supply for effecting the opening of said valve and for maintaining a Jredetermined oaenino rn .es pressure thereon, and means through which the valve-openingk pressure may be neutral-y ized through the increase inthe pressure of the gas supply, and means for causing said valve to close in the event o rupture oi said pneumatic means.

c 9. ln combination, a receptacle having an opening for connection to a source of gas supply under pressure, a valve for said opening, pneumatic means having no communication With said source of gas supply for effecting the opening of said valve and for maintaining a predetermined opening pressure thereon, means through Which the valve opening pressure may be neutralized through the-increase in the pressure of the gas supf ply, and non-,pneumatic means for automatically elosing said valve when 'y said pneumatic means ceases to be eifective.

l0. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbidreceptacle having a feed orice in its bottom, a feed valve for said orince, a flexible diaphragm to which saidvalve is connected, said diaphragm having one side exposed to the pressure ot the gas in said carbid receptacle, means for closing said valve when the pneumatic pressures on'opposite sides of said diaphragm are approximately equal, and means for causing a difterence in pressure on the sides of said diaphraginin opposition to said means suilicient to open said valve.

11. 1n an acetylene generator, a generator carbid receptacle to cause said pressure chamber to move in a direction to opensaid valve.

12. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle surmounting said tank and having a teed oriiice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening valve for said oritice, means tending to close said valve, an inverted cup-shaped pressure chamber associted with said .carbid receptacle, a diaphragm between the lower end ot said pressure chamber and said carbid receptacle and flexibly connecting the same to permit a vertical movement oithe pressure chamber, means connecting said valve to said pressure chamber and diaphragm, means for creating a pneumatic pressure in said pressure chamber sutliciently in excess of the pressure in said carbid receptacle to cause said pressure chamber to move upwardly to open the valve.

18. 1n an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle surmounting said tank and having a feed oriiice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening valve tor said' orice, means tending to close said valve, an inverted cup-shaped pressure chamber associated with' said carbid receptacle, a diaphragm between the lower end ot said pressure chamber and said carbid receptacle and flexibly connecting the same to permit a vertical movement oi' the pressure chamber,

means connecting said valve to said pressure chamber and diaphragm, means tor creating a pneumatic pressure in said pressure chamber suiiiciently in excess oi' the pressure in said carbid receptacle to cause said pressure chamber to move upwardly to open the valve, and manually operated means to open said valve. i

14. 1n an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle surmounting said tank and having a feed orifice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening valve for said oriiice, means tending to close said valve, an

inverted cup-shapedpressure chamber associated with said carbid receptacle, a diaphragm between the lower end or" said pressure chamber and said carbid receptacle and iiexibly connecting the same to permit a vertical movement of the pressure chamber, means connecting said valve to said pressure chamber and diaphragm, means for creating a pneumatic pressure in said pressure chamber suiiiciently in excess out the pressure in said carbid receptacle to cause said pressure chamber to move upwardly to open the valve, and automatic means tor reducing the difference between the pressures in said carbid receptacle and said pressure chamber to permit said valve to drop to closed position.

15. 1n an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle on said tank and having a feed orifice opening thercinto, a lieed valveior said oriiice, means normally holding said valve closes, pneumatic means for holding said reed valve open against the torce of said first named means, and means for rendering said pneumatic means inoperative, said last named means being responsive to an abnormal condition in the generator tank.

16. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle having a feed oritice opening into said generator tank,"a'teed valve i'for said orilice, means normally holding said teed valve closed, pneumatic means ior opening said feed valve against the torce of said iirst named means, a water inlet pipe for said generator tank, a valve in said pipe, means tor locking said valve in closed position, and means operable by the releasing movement or' said locking means to render for opening said iced valve against the torce ot said iirst named means, a water inlet pipe tor said generator tank, a valve in said pipe, means for locking said valve in closed position, and means operable by the releasing movement of said locking means to render said pneumatic means inoperative, thereby permitting said feed valve to close, the opening ont said Vvalve in the inletV pipe operating to lock said mechanism in positionto maintain said pneumatic means inoperative.

18.v 1n an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle surmountingsaid tank and having a iteed orifice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening carbid teed valve for said orifice, means Vtending to close said feed` valve, a pressure chamber associated with said carbid receptacle, a'diaphragm between the lower end of said ressure chamber and said carbid receptac e and flexibly connecting the sameto'permit a, vertical movement of the'pressure chamber, means connecting said feed valve to said pressure chamber and diaphragm, means for creating a pneumatic pressure in saidjpressure chamber sufficiently in excess of the pressure in said carbid receptacle to cause-said pressure chamber to move upwardly 'to open the valve, a water inlet pipe for said generator tank, a valve in said water inlet pipe, releasable means for locking the valve in the water inlet pipe in closed position, and means operable by the releasing movement of said locking means to reduce the pressure in said pressure chamber to cause the closing of said carbid feed valve.

19. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle on said tank and having a feed orifice opening thereinto, a carbid feed valve for said orifice, means normally holding said feed valve closed, pneumatic means for holding said feed valve open against the force Vof said first named means, a residuum discharge gate for said generator tank, a movable stop adapted to be moved into position to prevent the opening of the residuum discharge gate, means for locking said stop in such position, and means operable by the releasing movement of said locking means to render said pneumatic means inoperative. Y

20. in an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle on said tank and having afeed orifice opening thereinto, a carbid feed valve for said orifice, means normally holding said feed valve closed, pneumatic means for holding said feed valve open against the force of said lirst named means, said carbid ,receptacle having a charging opening provided with a cover, means for locking the cover in closed position, and means operable by the initial unlocking movement of said locking means'to render said pneumatic means inoperative.

2l. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, a carbid receptacle on said tank and having a feed orifice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening valve for said oriiice, means tending to close said valve, said carbid receptacle having a charging opening provided with a cover, means for locking said cover in closed position, an inverted cup-shaped pressure chamber associated with said carbid receptacle, a diaphragm between the lower end of said pressure chamber and said carbid receptacle and iieXibly connecti ing the same to permit a vertical movement of the pressure chamber,means`-connecting said valvevto said pressure chamber and diaphragm, means for creating pneumatic pressure in said pressure chamber sufliciently in excess of the pressure in said carbid receptacle to cause said pressure chamber to move upwardly to open the valve, means for ref-f ducing the'dierence between the pressures 22. lnan acetylene generator, a `generator f tank-,- a carbid receptacle surmounting said tank and having a feed orice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening valve for said oriiice, means tending to close said valve, an

yinverted cup-shaped pressure chamber associated with said carbid receptacle, a diaphragm between the lowerend of said presr'sure chamber and said carbid receptacle and flexibly connecting the same to permita vertical movement of the pressure chamber, means connecting said valveto said pressure chamber and diaphragm, means for creating a pneumatic pressure in said pressure chamber sufficiently in excess of the pressure in said carbid receptacle t'o cause said pressure chamber to move upwardly to open the valve, and automatic means for reducing the difference between the pressures in said carbid receptacle and pressure chamber to permit said valve to close under the action of said first-named means.

23. In an acetylene generator, a generator tank, ,a carbid receptacle surmounting said tank and having a feed orifice opening thereinto, an upwardly opening valve for said orifice, means tending to close said valve, an inverted cup-shaped pressure chamber associated with said carbid receptacle, a diaphragm between the lower end of said pressure chamber and said carbid receptacle yand iiexibly 'connecting the' same to permit a vertical movement of the pressure chamber,

means connecting said valve to said pressureA chamber and diaphragm, means for creating a pneumatic pressure in said pressure cham-v ber sufliciently in excess of the pressure in said carbid receptacle to cause said pressure chamber to move `upwardly to open the valve, and means for reducing the excess pressure to permit said valve to close, said last-named means being responsive to an abnormal condition in the generator' tank..

2.4-, ln combination with a valve, a valve controlling mechanism therefor, comprising a movable member to which said valve is,

connected for movementtherewith, means for providing different pneumatic pressures on opposite sides of said movable member to cause said member to move in a direction to open said valve, automatic means forreducing the said'L difference of pressure, and non-pneumatic means for closing said valve when the pneumatic pressures on opposite sides of said movable member are approximately equalized.

25. In combination with a valve for use in connection with a devicehaving relatively adjustable parts, valve controlling mechanism for said valve comprising a movable member to which said valve is connect ed for movement therewith7 means for providing different pneumatic` pressures on opposite sides of said movable member to cause it to move in :L direction to open said valve, means operable by the adjustment of said adjustable parts for equalzng the pressures on opposite sides of said movable member, und non-pneumaticv means for Closing said valve when the pneumatic pressures on 0p- 10 poste sides of said member are approxmately equalzed.

Signed at New York city, NeW'YorlQths l 17 day of April', 1917.

l KATHARINE `GOODYEAR, Admz'm'stmrz' of Nelson Goodyear, de-

ceased. f l 

